Care

Read Mark’s weekly reflections on The Huffington Post.

It’s a recurring lesson that, try as we do, the things that matter can’t be prepared for, only met. In this way, preparation requires being fully awake and present, more than anticipating every possible outcome. Meeting life over anticipating life lets us be surprised by care.

CARE

It used to be so

complicated: going

where I’d want

without a word

as if telling anyone

made me less free.

Or coming into

a relationship

like a bus station,

checking fares and

destinations

before boarding.

It used to be so

confusing: needing

to be touched

while wanting

to be left alone,

and still it’s hard

to let all I am show

in the presence

of strangers or

intimates who’d

like me to change.

But when I’m

stopped or stalled,

I spray the plants

and they shine for me.

I laugh in public

at what music does

to my notion of silence.

I touch your wrist

and something flows.

A Question to Walk With: How guarded are you with others? How does this help you? How does it harm you?